Watch Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears

The movie Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears is a Soviet romantic comedy-drama film that was directed by Vladimir Menshov and was released in the year 1980. The film features an ensemble cast of some of the most prominent actors in the Soviet Union, including Vera Alentova, Aleksey Batalov, and Irina Muravyova. The film takes place in Moscow during the course of three decades, beginning in the 1950s and following the lives of three women who come to the city together as young, ambitious rural migrants. The protagonist, Katerina (played by Vera Alentova), dreams of leaving her past behind and starting a new, prosperous life in the capital. Her two friends, Lyudmila (Irina Muravyova) and Antonina (Raisa Ryazanova), share her aspirations but have more pragmatic approaches to achieving them.

The three women quickly settle into the challenging life of the big city and start working together in a factory. They face various challenges and hardships along the way, including harsh living conditions, difficult colleagues, and social prejudices. Nevertheless, they persevere, and their hard work and persistence eventually pay off when they are promoted to management positions.

As the women climb the career ladder and gain financial stability, they also face romantic entanglements that test their friendship and resilience. Katerina falls in love with a handsome and wealthy man named Rudolf (Aleksey Batalov), who initially seems to be the answer to her prayers. However, their relationship is far from perfect, and Katerina has to make some difficult choices that ultimately lead her to unexpected outcomes.

The film combines elements of romantic comedy and social drama to create a nuanced and captivating representation of life in Soviet Moscow. It showcases the struggles and triumphs of three women who strive to achieve their dreams in a society that is still grappling with its socialist past and undefined future.

One of the strengths of the film is its attention to detail in depicting the everyday realities of Soviet life, from the communal apartments to the work routines in the factory. The film also highlights the changing social and cultural norms that shaped the lives and aspirations of Soviet women during the post-war years.

The performances of the lead actors are exceptional, with Vera Alentova giving a particularly compelling portrayal of Katerina. Her character is a complex and multifaceted figure who evolves from a naive and optimistic young woman to a mature and resilient survivor.

The film's director, Vladimir Menshov, won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1981, which helped to promote the film internationally and cement its place as a classic of Soviet cinema. In addition to its critical acclaim, the film became a box office success and was widely embraced by Soviet audiences, who recognized their own experiences in the characters and themes of the movie.

Overall, Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears is a touching and thought-provoking film that offers a rare glimpse into the everyday lives of Soviet women during a transformative era in Russian history. Its combination of humor, romance, and social commentary make it an enduring work of Russian cinema that continues to resonate with viewers around the world.

Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears is a 1979 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.